Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

"Xu Ping'an, upon meeting the Sect Master, do you not know to perform a greeting?" Su Zhan bellowed sternly. "I pay my respects to the Sect Master!" Xu Ping'an greeted with a slight bow. "There's no need for such formalities. I've heard of you before, and I've actually been observing you. Last month when you joined the Sect you were merely at the Seventh Layer of the Qi and Blood Realm. I didn't expect that in just over a month, you've already stepped into the Ninth Layer of the Sea-Splitting Realm," Dugu Tianyu said with a smile. "I was lucky and encountered some opportunities, so I progressed quickly," Xu Ping'an responded indifferently. "Opportunities? What kind of opportunities?" An elder with white hair and beard inquired. "Ah, opportunities are each person's secret—there's no need to delve into them. Elder Tang, refrain from asking such questions in the future," Dugu Tianyu said with a laugh, stopping the elder. Upon hearing this, the elder did not press further. Xu Ping'an was surprised and took a glance at Dugu Tianyu. This Sect Master seemed quite amiable, always wearing a smile on his face. But from the way the elder complied with his words, it was clear he was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. "Xu Ping'an, you should be aware that becoming an elite disciple grants you the right to become the closed-door disciple of one of the many elders. Now, with all the Inner Sect Elders present, you can choose one to become your master," Dugu Tianyu continued. As soon as these words were spoken, all the elders sat up straight. Clearly, they recognized the worth of Xu Ping'an's talent. After all, possessing a Chaos Body and achieving such a level of cultivation in just one month, he must naturally be of superior grade in other aspects too. Therefore, they all wanted to make a good impression on Xu Ping'an. Xu Ping'an glanced at these elders and revealed a slight smirk, "They can't teach me." As these words came out, the entire room was instantly abuzz. "Arrogant!" The elders were instantly furious. Did Xu Ping'an look down on them? Did he not even consider them worthy? A mere Second Rank, no matter how high his talent, what of it? They were all Fourth Rank cultivators, how could they not teach a Second Rank? Even Li Qingyi, who was standing by the side, was stunned. However, recalling the last time Xu Ping'an had explained cultivation issues to her, she suddenly felt that these elders might indeed not be able to teach Xu Ping'an. Because there had never been anyone who could explain cultivation as simply and understandably as Xu Ping'an did. "Oh? State your reasons," Dugu Tianyu signaled everyone to calm down, then looked at Xu Ping'an and asked. "Whatever they understand, I do as well; what they don't understand, I also do," Xu Ping'an said with a smile. "Presumptuous, you brat! What makes you so confident to say such things?" the previously mentioned Elder Tang with white hair raged. The other elders were equally enraged. This young man was claiming he was better than them? "Xu Ping'an, confidence is good, but arrogance is folly. Do you understand what you are saying?" Dugu Tianyu raised an eyebrow and asked with a light chuckle. "I'm merely telling the truth. Not to mention them, even you can't teach me," Xu Ping'an said helplessly. What he said was the truth; regarding taking a master, he had no intention of doing so hastily, as truly, these people had nothing to teach him. At this statement, all the elders were completely incensed. They all thought Xu Ping'an had gone mad! Li Qingyi was also shocked as she looked at Xu Ping'an. She knew he was formidable, but she didn't expect him to be this powerful. Others might have viewed Xu Ping'an's words as sheer arrogance, but she did not think so. Dugu Tianyu also scrutinized Xu Ping'an, and after a long while, he let out a slight chuckle, "I have heard that after reaching the Eighth Rank, some powerful cultivators can reincarnate to cultivate anew. If I am not wrong, Xu Ping'an, you are one of those people, aren't you?" As soon as these words were spoken, the room immediately fell quiet. Powerful cultivators reincarnating to cultivate anew? This time, it was Xu Ping'an who was surprised. He hadn't expected Dugu Tianyu to actually reveal his identity. Reincarnated to cultivate again? Does he count? Of course, he does! But he's not just someone reincarnated at the Eighth Rank; he's reincarnated at the Twelfth Rank, and even at the peak of the Ninth Layer of that rank. "It seems I guessed right. I've seen your file. Before you married into the Zhou Family, although you had the Innate Mysterious Veins, you appeared quite ordinary," "You couldn't even cultivate at all because you were suppressing Meng Yue's bloodline for her sake." "But ever since Zhou Mengyue betrayed you, you suddenly awakened overnight and soared to the heavens." "Of course, what made me most suspicious was the stark difference in your behavior before and after. Some people think you've undergone a huge change due to some calamity, resulting in a drastic change in temperament, but I think you've regained some memories from your past life." Dugu Tianyu looked at Xu Ping'an and smiled, his gaze emanating certainty and filled with wisdom. At this moment, Xu Ping'an finally understood why Dugu Tianyu was so imposing. His strength lay not only in his cultivation but also in his wisdom. He could guess all this based on some intelligence, which Xu Ping'an found utterly inconceivable. "Sect Master, this is all your speculation after all. I am Xu Ping'an, not anyone else," Xu Ping'an said with a smile. Dugu Tianyu also smiled, "Indeed, you are Xu Ping'an, not anyone else." As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked. Although Xu Ping'an had not admitted it outright, everyone already knew the answer. Li Qingyi, too, looked at Xu Ping'an in surprise at this moment. Now she finally understood why Xu Ping'an's eyes always seemed so profound, as if he had experienced countless vicissitudes. So he was the reincarnation of a powerful being! Those elders stopped fussing about Xu Ping'an not wanting to take a master. After all, if Xu Ping'an truly was the reincarnation of a powerful being, they might not know more than Xu Ping'an did. Insisting too much might just be humiliating themselves. "Since that's the case, as your senior brother, I shall take you as my disciple on behalf of the master. How about you become my junior brother?" Dugu Tianyu offered with a smile. "This..." The elders were visibly astonished. Li Qingyi was also shocked. Doesn't that mean in the future she would have to call Xu Ping'an 'Uncle Master'? Xu Ping'an too was taken aback! But he quickly understood. Dugu Tianyu probably feared that he didn't feel a sense of belonging to the Beichen Sword Sect and insisted on giving him a position within the sect. "Then I thank senior brother," Xu Ping'an responded. "Haha, good, from today onwards, you are my junior brother. However, you are still a disciple at the moment, and everything will be according to the treatment of an elite disciple. If you have any issues in the future, you can come to me," Dugu Tianyu said. "Alright!" Xu Ping'an replied with a wry smile. This Dugu Tianyu was really crafty. By giving him the status of a junior brother, he firmly tied him to the Beichen Sword Sect and now also made him enjoy only a disciple's benefits. Sensing Xu Ping'an's thoughts, Dugu Tianyu said with a smile, "Junior brother, I am doing this for your own good. As a disciple, you will be able to fight for a ranking, to participate in the Sect Competition. I suppose you still don't know the benefits of the Sect Competition, do you?" Xu Ping'an shook his head. "Have you ever heard of the Spirit Realm?" Dugu Tianyu asked with a smile. Xu Ping'an was surprised. What did the Sect Competition have to do with the Spirit Realm? Seeing Xu Ping'an's expression, Dugu Tianyu knew that Xu Ping'an was aware of the Spirit Realm. "The results of the great competition among the four major sects are somewhat related to the Spirit Realm. Not only are there generous rewards for the top five of the four major sects, but they will also represent Tianlong County in the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty's Holy Refinement of the Immortal Dynasty. Those who win a ranking in the end will be eligible to enter the Spirit Realm," said Dugu Tianyu. Upon hearing this, Xu Ping'an's expression instantly turned solemn. Enter the Spirit Realm? If that was the case, he really had to participate in this Sect Competition, and he had to give it his all.